Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN09CA596

Princeton, MN, USA

Aircraft #1

N52PH

Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180

Analysis

The pilot stated that during landing the airplane's tail began to "oscillate" when it contacted the runway. The airplane then drifted off the right side of the runway and the right main landing gear wheel encountered the adjacent terrain. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage that included wrinkling of the left wing skin, damage to the vertical stabilizer, and damage to the left side of the fuselage near the windshield. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were uninjured. No mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation were noted.

Factual Information

The pilot stated that during landing on runway 15 (3,900 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) the airplane's tail began to "oscillate" when it contacted the runway. The airplane then "drifted" off the right side of the runway where the right main landing gear wheel encountered the adjacent terrain. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage that included wrinkling of the left wing skin, damage to the vertical stabilizer, and damage to the left side of the fuselage near the windshield. The pilot and pilot rated passenger were uninjured. No mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation were noted.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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